Pokemon Starlight Paradise Pop-Up in Jamsil: Reservations, Hours, and What to See

The hottest topic among Pokemon fans this summer is, without question, "Pokemon Starlight Paradise." Held to celebrate Pokemon's 30th anniversary, this large-scale pop-up event runs from August 16 to 31 around Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, Seoul. Its full name is "2026 Lotte Town Summer Market – Pokemon Mega Festa 2026: Pokemon Starlight Paradise," a summer blockbuster event put together jointly by Lotte Department Store and The Pokemon Company Korea. Round 1 reservations, which opened August 7, reportedly filled up fast — so if you're still weighing a visit, here's what you need to know.

What's the event about

The event spans two main locations. At the main venue, the Lotte World Tower Arena Lawn Square, an enormous indoor dome shaped like a Poke Ball has been set up. Inside, an artificial waterway more than 12 meters long winds through the dome, with a Gyarados appearing to swim along its surface. Add a large LED waterfall and projection visuals covering the dome's ceiling, and the space is expected to feel especially dramatic after dark. A short walk away, at the 1st-floor atrium of Lotte World Mall, a separate pop-up store called "Pokemon Mureungdowon" (Peach Blossom Paradise) is also running, so it's easy to plan a route that covers both spaces.

The details

The event runs for about two weeks, from August 16 to 31, open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free, but it's worth remembering that at the main venue (Arena Lawn Square), only visitors with an advance reservation can enter — there's no on-site registration there. Reservations open in two rounds through the Lotte On and Lotte Department Store Mall apps: Round 1 already opened on August 7 at 10:30 a.m., and Round 2 opens August 18 at 10:30 a.m. Each account can book once per day, for up to two people including yourself. The "Pokemon Mureungdowon" pop-up store at the Lotte World Mall 1F atrium, by contrast, works independently of the main-venue booking — visitors who reserve on site can get in.

Visitors who fill out a "Starlight Gyarados Wish Card" at the venue will receive a promo Gyarados card, and those who spend KRW 100,000 or more will get a Gyarados bandana or Gyarados plush cup holder, while supplies last. The merchandise zone features collaboration goods from 10 partner brands, including the Lotte Giants, Uniqlo, and LEGO, and outdoor container booths from 9 food and beverage brands are serving up Pokemon-themed items like Pikachu pork cutlet and Pokemon crepes.

Visiting tips

Since the event runs on a reservation-only basis, it's a good idea to have the app open and ready right when booking opens if you're planning to go. With Round 1 already sold out, Round 2 (opening August 18 at 10:30 a.m.) is expected to be just as competitive. If you miss out on the main-venue booking, the Mureungdowon pop-up store's on-site reservation is worth considering as a backup. Evenings are likely to draw the biggest crowds thanks to the LED light show, so mornings or early afternoons are a better bet if you'd rather take your time. Since Lotte World Mall connects directly to Jamsil Station, it's easy to pair a visit with shopping or a meal — and if you want to see both the main venue and the pop-up store, it's worth budgeting at least an hour or more.